Europeans are in no position to criticise Iran, says Javad Zarif

‘Westerns policies have only caused damage in the region’

Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif | File

European countries are in “no position” to criticise Iran, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday ahead of a visit by his German counterpart Heiko Maas.

Mr. Maas is due in Tehran on Monday, against a backdrop of Iranian pressure for Europe to uphold commitments made under a 2015 nuclear deal since abandoned by the U.S.

“Europeans are certainly in no position to criticise Iran, even about issues that have nothing to do with” the agreement, Mr. Zarif said.

European and Western policies “have only caused damage in the region,” Mr. Zarif said.

“Now some countries like Germany have stopped selling arms to Saudi Arabia for bombarding the people of Yemen, some other countries haven’t done so,” he added.

“In general, the West has allowed the autocratic regimes in our region to commit crimes.”

Mr. Zarif said that Europeans have “a duty” to ensure that Iran’s economic relations return to normal.